Commuting costs to take up one-fifth of employees’ annual pay packet

Commuters are being forced to spend up to one-fifth of their annual salary just to get to work by train.

Train fares have risen yet again (Picture: Getty)

They will fork out an average of eight per cent of their income on an annual season ticket after inflation-busting rises came into effect on Monday.

For those in London the figure is 17 per cent but some, such as those travelling regularly more than 50 minutes into Birmingham, the cost climbs to 21 per cent.

Stuart McMillan, a consultant at The Hay Group, which uncovered the statistics, said: âAs train fares continue to rise above inflation and salary increases remain subdied, commuting costs are set to take up more of employeesâ pay packets.â

He called on employers to respond by offering incentives such as interest-free loans for season tickets.

The figures emerged on the day rail fares rose by an average of 5.9 per cent and, in some cases, by more than ten per cent.

Train companies insist they will fund improvements in services, while ministers say it will shift the cost of running the railways from taxpayers to passengers.

The Hay Groupâs research shows Britainâs best value city is Cardiff but other big spenders will be commuters in Birmingham, Manchester and Bristol.

Anthony Smith, from watchdog Passenger Focus, said: âThese rail fare rises will make for a frosty return to work.â

And Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT transport union, called the fare rises âdaylight robberyâ that would âdo nothing more than pump up the profits of the private train operatorsâ.